Range Rover unveils Sentinel armoured SUV

Land Rover has unveiled an armoured version of its Range Rover SUV called the Sentinel. Built by their Special Vehicles Operations, this armoured SUV is certified for VR8 level of protection and is based on the top-of-the-line Autobiography variant.

The VR8 level of protection means it can withstand penetration by 7.62mm armour piercing incendiary bullets and lateral protection against an explosion of 15kgs of TNT. If that were not deadly enough, then this SUV can also withstand DM51 grenade explosions both below the floor and above the roof.

All this protection is possible thanks to a six-piece armoured passenger cell and specially multi-laminated armoured glass that provides protection but clear visibility. Other safety measures include an anti-tamper exhaust, self-sealing fuel tank, auxiliary battery and split charging system. It can handle a payload of up to 650kg thanks to revisions in the Dynamic Stability Control and Ride Stability Control systems. To handle all the extra mass, the suspension has also been reworked.

However, this protection would mean diddly squat if the car was not capable of exiting a dangerous situation. It is powered by 3.0-litre supercharged petrol V8 mill that produces 340bhp and is mated to a ZF eight-speed AT. Further, it also gets run-flat tyres fitted on 20-inch split wheels which can continue to be used even when the tyres are fully deflated though the travelable distance and speed in this situation have not been mentioned.

All these protection systems have not compromised the Sentinel’s luxury quotient, after all it is still a Range Rover. This version is based on the Autobiography variant of the SUV which means its gets every single optional extra that Range Rover offers.

It has been priced at 400,000 Euros (Rs 2.9 crore) and will go on sale in markets across Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East. Given that most of the German players have entered the armoured vehicles market in India, we expect that Range Rover too will bring this model to the Indian market sometime next year.